19
November
2021
|
16:46 PM
Europe/Amsterdam

Mohawk extends vaccine requirement for winter 2022. Important changes to exemptions.

To all Mohawk Employees and Students,

As we prepare to welcome the majority of students back to campus in January, we want to share with you some important changes and updates to the college’s proof of vaccination requirement. To confirm, Mohawk College has a Vaccination Mandate in place. As of February 14, 2022, only people who have been fully vaccinated or have an APPROVED exemption will be admitted to college campuses.

As a result, by January 3, 2022, all students, employees, volunteers, guests, visitors and contractors must have received at least one dose of a Health Canada approved vaccine, or have an approved exemption that is based on substantiated medical or non-medical human rights grounds in order to enter a Mohawk College facility or attend a college related event. Employees and students who have received their first dose of a Health Canada approved vaccine by January 3, will be permitted access to campus with regular testing but must be fully vaccinated by Monday, February 14.

With the increase in on-campus activity in January, employees and students who are learning and working remotely may be required to attend campus from time to time and should be prepared to comply with proof of vaccination requirement. Students and employees who have already submitted their proof of vaccination do not need to resubmit.

Important details about these changes are outlined below and contained in the Mohawk College Vaccine Policy Statement. Please read the following the information and the policy statement carefully. It is your responsibility to understand and comply with this requirement.

Important changes to exemption requests.

Anyone who is requesting an exemption from the college’s proof of vaccination requirement must now fill out an exemption request form and will be required to provide documentation supporting their request. Exemptions will only be approved on substantiated medical or non-medical human rights grounds. Please refer to the Exemptions section of the Mohawk College Vaccine Policy Statement for details about the information you are required to submit with your request.

Exemption applications will not be processed on arrival to campus. Applications for exemption must be submitted and approved prior to coming to campus. Please allow a minimum of two weeks to process exemption requests, and please do not submit more than one request as this will delay the review process. New exemptions requests received as of November 22, 2021 will be subject to the updated policy statement.

All exemptions from the Fall 2021 semester will be cancelled and deleted from the system on Saturday, December 18. If you requested an exemption before or during the Fall 2021 semester, you must reapply for an exemption for January to retain access to campus.

Due to the college being closed from December 24 to January 3, 2022, you are strongly encouraged to submit your request by Friday, December 10, 2021 at the latest in order for it to be reviewed in time for the start of the semester.

Instructions on how to request an exemption as well links to the exemption application forms are included in the Exemptions section of the Mohawk College Vaccine Policy Statement.

Upload your proof of vaccination now.

Proof of vaccination must be submitted before you come to campus. Please allow a minimum of 5 business days for your information to be verified. Again, students and employees who have already submitted their proof of vaccination do not need to resubmit.

The college will be closed from Friday, December 24, 2021 to Monday, January 3, 2022. Please plan to submit your proof of vaccination well in advance of the closure period in order for it to be processed in time for the start of the semester in January.

Proof of vaccination can be uploaded through the Mohawk Safety App. Instructions and details about alternate submission formats are available under the Proof of Vaccination section of the Mohawk College Vaccine Policy Statement.

Testing and education requirements

Those with approved exemptions and those who have received a first dose of a vaccine will be required to complete regular Antigen screening tests once every seven days. Individuals who are not fully vaccinated by January 3 will be only be eligible for testing until February 14. More details on testing can be found under the COVID-19 Testing section of the Mohawk College Vaccine Policy Statement.

Those who receive a non-medical human rights-based exemption will also be required to complete a mandatory education program. You do not need to complete this program prior to January 3. Details about the education program will be communicated to participants directly.

No exemption + not vaccinated = No access to campus

If you do not meet the requirements for an exemption and you choose not to be vaccinated, you will not be permitted access to campus. If this applies to you, please contact your Program coordinator to discuss your situation.

Placements and Co-ops

Employees and students who do not need to attend college property but who regularly work or study at a sanctioned off-campus site (i.e., dual credit programs, placement and co-op activities) are expected to comply with the proof of vaccination requirement and, may be required to comply with any additional requirements of the sanctioned off-campus site.

Visitors, volunteers and guests

Visitors, volunteers and guests must comply with the vaccine requirement using the college’s proof of vaccination process prior to coming to campus or attending a college related event. The proof of vaccination process must be completed each time they come to campus or attend an event. Please refer to the Contractors, Vendors, Visitors and Guests section of the Mohawk College Vaccine Policy Statement for more details.

Where to go for more information.

For detailed information on Mohawk’s proof of vaccination requirements, including details not covered in this communications, please refer to the Mohawk College COVID-19 Vaccination Policy Statement.

Thank you for your continued support and cooperation as we work to keep our campus community safe.